Tom Fudge: The business of running hospitals has become quite precarious in California. And that's especially true of hospitals that serve large numbers of poor people. Paradise Valley Hospital in National City is one such facility. The cost of treating large numbers of Medi-Cal patients has taken a toll, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. And that's not to mention the huge future cost of earthquake retrofitting.
But the hospital has a way out of its financial dilemma. Namely, a $30 million purchase offer from Prime Healthcare Services, which is based in Victorville. But a lot of people who work for the hospital, and rely on it for care, are saying, "not so fast." They fear that Prime, a for-profit company, will not serve the South Bay's poor population well.
As it turns out, the California attorney general has something to say in the matter. And Jerry Brown has until Feb. 19 to approve, deny or place conditions on the sale of Paradise Valley Hospital.
Guests
- Dr. John Videen, chair of the Department of Medicine, Pathology, and Radiology and director of the Intensive Care Unit at Paradise Valley Hospital.
- Nathan Kaufman, managing director of Kaufman Strategic Advisors, a San Diego-based healthcare consulting firm.
